Tire chain



' Dec. 19, 1922.

J. JOHNSTON TIRE CHAIN.

FILED MAR.27| 1922.

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Patented Dec. 19, 1922.

"rsn. STATES .PATENT m ce,-

JAMES JOHNSTON, OF ST. CATHARINES, ONTARIO, CANADA. ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALFTO WILLIAM J. OPHEE, OF ST. GATHARINES. ONTARIO, CANADA.

TIRE CHAIN.

Application filed March 27, 1922. Serial No. 547,273.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it knownthat 1, Jules JoHxs'rox. of the city of St. tatharines. inthe county of Welland. Province of Ontario. Canada. a subject of theKing of Great Britain. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 'lire hains. of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tire chains of the type in which independenttransverse tread chains are passed around the tire and the telloe ot'the wheel and are positioned by their connection by means of suitableconncctors with securing chains. which are in turn engaged withanchoring means, and my object is to devise chains of this type in whichany tread chain is easily removed and replaced and in which the meansfor securing the tread chains to the securing chains are simplified andcheapened.

I attain my object by means of the constructions hereinafter describedand illustrated in the accompanying drawings in In the drawings likenumerals ofret'er ence indicate corresponding parts in the ditterentfigures.

1 are connectors which serve as a connection between tread chains 2 anda securing chain 3. In practice a plurality of pairs of .connectors areemployed, each connecting one or more tread chains with a securingchain. and these securing chains are in turn anchored to a ring 4. whichmay be in the form of a metal rod or a chain. this ring being positionedconcentric with the hub and at one side of the wheel in a manner wellknown in the art. 1

The securing chains 3 are preferably each connected with the ring 4through the medium of a coil spring 5. Each connector is formed withjaws 6 and an eye 7. With each pair of connectors one or moretreadchains 2 may be employed. In the drawings I show two tread chains andthe aws (5 are triple so as to maintain the ends of the tread chainsslot being adapted for the passageot' the chain so that it may be drawnthrough the eye. while the smaller end of the slot will en gage a crosslink and thus form a non-sliding connection with the chain.

when a chain is to be placed in position, one end of the securing chain3 being secured to one connector as shown in Fig. 1. the other end ispassed through the eye of the other connector. and when the tread chainis brought to a proper position encircling the tire and felloe ot' thewheel. the smaller end of the eye is engaged with the securing chain inthe manner hereinbetore described and the securing chain is hooked on tothe corresponding coil spring As many tread chains with their connectorsmay be employed as desired, and each corresponding securing chainhitched up to'the ring 4.

In Fig. 4. I show a single tread chain detachably secured to twoconnectors in the manner hereinbetore described. In this form, as in theother shown, the tread chain is readily removed and replaced. Theconnectors. however. are shown as provided with eyes adapted forengagen'ient with a strap 11 by means of which the device may be securedabout the wheel felloe and tire.

From the above description it will be seen that I have devised a.construction which will satisfactorily attain the objects of myinvention as hereinbetore set out in this specification.

What I claim as my invention is In tire chains, thecombination ofa'plurality of tread chains; two one-piece connectors each formed withjaws and with an eye, the jaws being adapted to receive between them andto separate end links of the tread chains; a pin for'each connector passing through the jaws and links of the trend position and anchoring meansto which the chains between the :1Ws; a securing means other end 01' thesevuring means is connevtelh 10 connected. at one end to the eye of onec0n- Signed at St. Catharines this 9th day of nector in part.at leastformed of chain, the March, 19:22.

eye of the other connector being formed as a J AMES JOHNSTON. [1,. 5.]

keyhole slot through which the chain may be Witness drawn and engagedtherewith in any desired JAMES G, A. M. sOHlLLER.

